Gerald Paul Jefferies

88 years of Gerald P., such a long life, yet not nearly long enough. His family saw him live like Superman— he embodied the iconic traits of strength, grit, integrity, humility, leadership, and ingenuity. His ability to move through the suffering that comes from living in a fallen world made him the Man of Steel in the eyes of his children Steven Jefferies (Dorothy), Beverly Vance (Darrell), and Linda Metzger (Darren); his grandchildren Justin, Paul, Krishna, Chris, Andrew, Katelyn, and Jeffery; and 14 beautiful great-grandchildren- all of whom he was so proud of. Their love and care carried him through his last 9,636 days on earth, living without his Val, knowing the two of them set the stage for their beautiful family to grow exponentially. He probably would have laughed off being compared to Superman and instead offered that he was more like a mule. Perhaps he would have called himself the Man of Stubborn instead. Ultimately, they both fit this honorable man and reflect how he lived his life. He was undoubtedly stubborn, but beyond stubbornness, mules are sure-footed. They can handle the roughest of terrains. Young Jerry lost his dad, Clarence Laine Jefferies, at 9 years old, but only after the previous 2 years of his dad being hospitalized from Tuberculosis. Mules carry heavy loads and are known for hard work. When he and Val were first married and living in England in the 1950s, he collected cigarette rations from non-smokers to buy surplus cigarette rations to sell at marked-up prices to pay for their off-base housing because his salary wasn’t enough. Last but not least, mules are known for being reliable for smooth riding. They carry you with a soft and steadiness, even in rough terrain. He would be correct then about being more of a mule, but not in the way his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would see it. He carried each one of us through rough terrain at some point in our lives. Not all at the same time and not through the same rough patch, but he held us all. He held every one of his children as newborn babies, every grandchild, and nearly every great-grandbaby. For a man of his generation, he had a softness that we all felt even through his strength. He said the words, “I love you.” Beyond saying the words, he showed us that love is a verb. He backed his words with action. He showed us that when something was broken or not working, you take it apart, see what was there before, and then find new pieces to put it back together. Simple. You don’t just throw it away. We saw him speak up and unapologetically ask for his “fair share” in life— even if just for cheese on his taco. He showed us that if you order tea, you drink it even though “it is the weakest tea” you’ve ever drunk. And laugh when you realize it was water the whole time. He showed us that life isn’t going to go our way all the time and that we won’t always use the same strategy. He adapted. And when things seem to be falling apart around you, you look to those still by your side. You cry. You hold each other. Then you pick up whatever pieces you have, and we go forward together. He took accountability, accepted what life handed him, didn’t hold anger, and lived with joy. When he laughed, he laughed with his whole soul, and you could see the joy in the depth of Jerry’s soft blue eyes. Even as his body betrayed his youthful soul and sharp mind, he didn’t sit in self-pity. When he had a broken hip in an overcrowded and understaffed hospital, waiting 3 days for surgery, he didn’t consider giving up. Not for one second. He said, “shit happens.” While waiting for his surgery, he reflected on his life, saying, “I’ve had a good life. A GREAT life. I had the perfect wife. I had the perfect children. I’m not done yet, though.” When he awoke from a high-risk surgery, he was pleased as punch with himself. He said, “Well, I guess I got it right with Jesus. We got that straightened out.” Gerald Paul Jefferies, 88 years and 12 days old, left this world right with Jesus. Now it is time for us to carry forward all the stories, lessons, love, and the precious gift of life Jesus gave us through the eternal love of Jerry and Val- now reunited in heaven after a long 9,636 days as Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Jefferies.

A graveside for Gerald will be held Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Arlington Memory Gardens, 3400 N Midwest Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73141.